Window fan with screen covering

ABSTRACT

A window fan system includes a housing unit having a front panel and a rear panel, the front panel and the rear panel having grilles, a fan disposed between the front panel and the rear panel, a covering, and a plurality of fasteners, each including a first fastening member on said housing unit and a second fastening member on said covering designed to connect with said first fastening member. The covering is configurable in a covered state and a stored state, a grille on said front panel or said rear panel is covered by the covering in the covered state and the grille on said front panel or said rear panel is not covered by the covering in the uncovered state. A holder supports the covering in the stored states, and the holder includes one of the plurality of fasteners, a storage fastener that is different from the plurality of fasteners, and a retainer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a window fan with a removable screen covering.

BACKGROUND

Window fans are a practical low cost alternative to air conditioningunits for maintaining a comfortable temperature and ventilation within abuilding. Like a portable window air conditioning unit, a window fan istypically installed within the frame of a window. However, unlike aportable window air conditioning unit, a window fan is relativelyinexpensive to operate.

A window fan typically contains a housing unit with a front and rearpanel, a fan, a motor and a control element. The front and rear panelsboth contain openings (e.g., grilles) so that when turned on, the windowfan draws in air from the outside into the building (e.g., intake mode),or draws air from inside the building out (e.g., exhaust mode).

Because the exterior side of the window fan is exposed to the outsideenvironment, the interior of the fan's housing is exposed to and canaccumulate environmental elements such as dust, rain, ice, dirt,insects, spider webs, leaves, etc. which can decrease the performance ofthe window fan. Moreover, insects, spiders, airborne particles anddebris, and the like may enter the building through the grilles when thefan is not in use.

To deal with these two potential problems, window fan users typicallymust remove or uninstall the window fan from the window frame so thewindow can be closed. When the user wishes to use the window fan again,he or she must reinstall the window fan.

As such, there is a need for an improved window fan or device thatprevents the entry of insects, spiders, airborne particles and debris,and the like into a building and which does not have to be removed andreinstalled.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a window fan systemincludes a housing unit having a front panel and a rear panel, the frontpanel and the rear panel having grilles, a fan disposed between thefront panel and the rear panel, a covering, and a plurality offasteners, each including a first fastening member on the housing unitand a second fastening member on the covering designed to connect withthe first fastening member. The covering is configurable in an installedstate and a stored state, a grille on the front panel or the rear panelis covered by the covering in the installed state and the grille on thefront panel or the rear panel is not covered by the covering in thestored state. A holder supports the covering when the covering is in thestored state. The holder is one of one of the plurality of fasteners, astorage fastener, and/or a retainer.

The covering is a screen allowing passage of air therethrough andpreventing then entry of insects, spiders, airborne particles anddebris, and the like into the building.

The covering is rolled up in the stored state and held on a side of thegrille in the stored state. Thus, the air flows more freely through thegrilles and fan unit when the covering is in the stored state allowingthe fans to more efficiently circulate air.

In one embodiment, the the holder includes the retainer that maintainsthe covering in the rolled up condition in the stored state. Theretainer is, for example, a strap that is releasably connected to thehousing unit or tie strings that are attached to the covering itself orto the housing unit.

In a further embodiment, the holder includes at least one of theplurality of fasteners and is connected in the stored state. Thecovering is releasably connected to the one of the plurality offasteners so that the covering can be removed from the housing unit forcleaning and/or replacement.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the holder is a storagefastener, which is different from the plurality of fasteners. Thestorage fastener requires manipulation of a portion of the firstfastening element to allow disconnection of the second fastening elementand each of the plurality of fasteners allows disconnection of thesecond fastening element from the first fastening element without anymanipulation of the first fastening element. The first fastening memberof the storage fastener is in a closed state to maintain a connectionbetween the first fastening member and the second fastening member ofthe storage fastener and includes a resilient element that ismanipulable by an external force to open the closed state and releasethe connection between the first fastening member and the secondfastening member.

In a further embodiment, the holder includes the retainer and one of thestorage fastener or that at least one of the plurality of fasteningelements. In this embodiment, the retainer includes tie strings attachedto the covering.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a window fan according to an embodiment ofthe present invention with a covering in an installed state attached toan interior side of a fan housing.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the window fan of FIG. 1 with the coveringstored in a stored state.

FIG. 3A is an illustration of the section A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B is an illustration of the section B of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3C is an illustration of the section C of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is an illustration of an embodiment of a first fastening elementon the housing unit.

FIG. 4B is an illustration of another embodiment of a first fasteningelement on the housing unit.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of another embodiment of a fastener forattaching the covering to the fan housing.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a further embodiment of a fastener forattaching the covering to the fan housing.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of yet another embodiment of a fastener forattaching the covering to the fan housing.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a further embodiment for holding thecovering in the stored state.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of the cover attached to the window fan.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of Section A of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of Section B of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of another embodiment for holding thecovering in the stored state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A window fan with a covering is herein provided which will overcome thedeficiencies of the prior art window fan. A covering in accordance withan embodiment of the invention is preferably a flexible bug screen.Alternatively, the cover may also include a material impermeable to theelements. The impermeable cover goes over and seals the openings orgrilles of the window fan, prevents the natural air flow or circulationof air from inside to outside (or vice versa) is stopped, and reducesthe tendency of the window fan housing to accumulate enviromentalelements.

In the present invention, the window fan comprises a housing unit havinga front panel and a rear panel, the front and rear panels having grills;a fan disposed between the front and rear panels; a drive motoroperatively connected to the fan; a control element operativelyconnected to the motor; at least one covering; a plurality of firstfastening members on at least one side of the housing unit; and aplurality of second fastening members on the covering designed toconnect with the plurality of first fastening members on the housingunit.

The fan blades may be of any shape conventionally used in window fans.The motor is connected to the fan and the control element, which may beany such control element known in the art to turn the power on/off andadjust the speed of the fan.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the window fan 10 includes a housing unit 12,which includes grilles 13 on both the rear and front panels 14 (only thefront panel is shown in FIGS. 1-2). Because of these grilles 13, airwill naturally flow from outside to inside or vice versa. A controlelement 17 of the window fan 10 can include several speeds for adjustingthe speed of the fan /motor (e.g., high, low). In the embodiment shown,the control element 17 includes pushbuttons. However, a rotary switch orany other conventional switch(es) may also be used for the controlelement 17 instead of the pushbuttons.

The window fan 10 is provided with a covering 15 which covers thegrilles 13 on the front panel 14. The covering 15 is preferably attachedon the front panel 14 for ease of access. However, the covering 15 maybe alternatively attached to the rear panel of the housing unit 12, orseparate coverings can be attached to the rear and front panels.

As stated above, the covering 5 is preferably a screen similar to knownwindow and door screens and can be made from a mesh of plastic wire,fiberglass, or any conventional screen materials. As an alternative, thecovering 5 may be a solid cover made of fabric, plastic, rubber, or anyother conventional cover materials. In one embodiment, the covering isdesigned to match the shape of grilles 13 or the shape of openings 13 onpanel 14 of housing unit 12 and seal them from the environment. Thecovering 15 may be windproof, waterproof and/or insulated as well.

As shown in FIG. 1, the covering 15 is attached to the housing unit 12by first fastening members 16 a and second fastening members 16 b(collectively referred to as fastening members 16 a, 16 b). The covering15 can be attached to any part of housing unit 12, including grille 13.The fastening members 16 a, 16 b can be any fastening system known inthe art, including but not limited to a female/male fasteners, a hookand eye/loop fasteners and connectors, etc.

Each of the fastenng members 16 a, 16 b includes a plurality of firstfastening members 18 a, 18 b attached to the housing 12 and the covering15 includes a plurality of second fastening members 19 a, 19 b attachedto the covering 15 and designed to connect with respective firstfastening members 18 a, 18 b on the housing unit 12. For example, asshown in FIGS. 3A-C, the plurality of first fastening members 18 b onthe housing unit 12 (such as the front panel 14) can be in the form ofprotrusions, extensions or mounting hooks which connect to therespective attachment loops or holes (representing the plurality ofsecond fastening members 19 b) on cover 15. In one example shown in FIG.4A, the first fastening members 18 a, 18 b protrude from a surface ofthe front panel 14. In another example shown in FIG. 4B, the firstfastening members 18 a, 18 b are flush with a surface of the front panel14 and extend across a hole or depression 27 in the front panel 14. Inthis embodiment, the first fastening members 18 a are the same as thefirst fastening members 18 b and the second fastening members 19 a arethe same as the second fastening members 19 b.

The plurality of first fastening members 18 a, 18 b on housing unit 12can be located anywhere on housing unit 12, including on grille 13 andon either or both of front and rear panels. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3A-C,the covering 15 is attached to housing unit 12 for example, by simplyconnecting or mating the plurality of first fastening members 18 a, 18 bon the front panel 14 with the corresponding plurality of secondfastening members 19 a, 19 b on the covering 15. In one embodiment,three first fastening members 18 a, 18 b are arranged on each side ofthe covering 15 in the installed state. Referring again to FIGS. 1,3A-C, the upper first fastening member 18 a, 18 b extends at upward atan angle relative to a horizontal and the lower first fastening member18 a, 18 b extends downward at an angle relative to the horizontal. Thisensures that the screen is held taut against the grille 13.

The covering 15 is shown as being rectangular in FIG. 1. However, thecovering 15 may by any shape or size particularly suited for a specificfan unit. For example, FIG. 9 shows an oblong shaped covering 15. Theplurality of second fastening members 19 a, 19 b on covering 15 can belocated anywhere on covering 15. Preferably, the plurality of secondfastening members are located on covering 15 in locations whichcorrespond to the location of the plurality of first fastening members18 a, 18 b on housing unit 12 so that the connection can be moreuniform. The second fastening members 19 a, 19 b can be any one of manyknown fastening devices, including loops of elastic, rubber, rope,nylon, metal, plastic, etc.; pile and loop fasteners, mechanicalfasteners such as snaps or twist connectors. The second fasteningmembers 19 a, 19 b can be sewn, secured or attached to the covering 15using any conventional methods. Preferably, the second fastening members19 a, 19 b are resistant to being pulled off the covering 15 (e.g., atleast resistant to 15 pounds of pulling pressure).

The covering 15 is stored on a side of the grille 13 when the covering15 is not in use according to another embodiment of the invention. Forexample, FIG. 2 shows the covering 15 stored in an uncovered or storedstate. The covering 15 is a flexible material that can be folded orrolled up to be stored in the stored state. In a preferred embodiment,the covering 15 is rolled up in the stored state. However, covering mayalternatively be folded, for example, by an accordion fold. In theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, the rolled up covering 15 is stored ona lateral side of the grilles 13. However, the rolled up covering 15 mayalternatively be stored above or below the grilles 13 in the storedstate.

In one embodiment, the first fastening members 18 a, 18 b are in theform of protrusions, extensions or mounting hooks. In this embodiment,the second fastening members 19 a, 19 b are loops, preferably elasticloops, and are placed over respective ones of the first fasteningmembers 18 a, 18 b to form a connection. The first fastening members 18a of the first fasteners 16 a are connected with the respective loops 19a of the first fasteners 16 a in both the stored state and the coveredstate. The first fastening members 18 b of the second fasteners 16 b areconnected only when the covering is in the covered state and aredisconnected in the stored state. Thus, the first fasteners 16 a arestorage fasteners that function as a holder in the stored state tosupport the covering 15 on the housing unit 12. The second fasteners 16b are deployed fasteners that are disconnected in the stored state.

In another embodiment, the first (storage) fasteners 16 a are differentthan the second (deployed) fasteners 16 b. In the following examples,the second (deployed) fasteners 16 b include, for example, the firstfastening members 18 b and the loops 19 b described above or any otherfasteners. Because the first (storage) fasteners 16 a are designed tosupport the covering 15 in the stored position, the first (storage)fasteners 16 a are designed in this embodiment to be more difficult orrequire more force to disconnect than the seond (deployed) fasteners 16b. For example, FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which the first (storage)fastener 16 a is a hook and loop fastener or pile and loop fastener 24.In a further embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the first (storage) fasteners16 a that hold the covering 15 in the stored state are snap connectors26. In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the first (storage)fasteners 16 a include a clip 28 with a movable portion, i.e., resilientarm 30, that rests against or forms a small gap with a base 31 and formsa ring or eye that holds the loop 19. The resilient arm 30 ismanipulable (see arrow in FIG. 7) to open the ring or eye and allowremoval of the loop 19 a. Further, the first (storage) fastener 16 a inthe form of the clip 28 may be releasably connected to the housing unit12 using a screw 31 so that a broken clip 28 can be easily replaced.Instead of the screw 31, a snap-fit connection, or other knownreleasable fasteners may be used to connect the clip 28 to the housingunit 12.

A retainer in the form of a retaining strap 20 holds the rolled upcovering 15 in the rolled up condition when the covering 15 is in thestored state. The retaining strap 20 has one end 22 connected to thehousing unit 12 and an opposite end with a connector 23. The one end 22is preferably connected to housing unit 12 by an adhesive, plastic weld,screw, or bolt. The connector 23 is a releasable connector such as asnap connector as shown. Alternatively, the connector 23 is pile andloop fasteners or hook connector. Instead of the retaining strap 20, theretainer can include string ties 33 shown in FIG. 8 that hold thecovering 15 in the stored state. The string ties 33 may be attached tothe covering 15 or to the housing unit 12. Thus, the retainer canfunction as the holder to support the covering 15 either along or incombination with the first (storage) fasteners 16 a.

As a further alternative, one of the elastic loops 19 b attached to thecovering 15 as shown in FIG. 12. In the FIG. 12 elastic loop 19 b isattached to a first fastening element 18 c used exclusively in thestored state. As yet a further alternative, the elastic loop 19 b couldbe fastened to one of the first fastening elements 18 a.

In one embodiment of the invention, only the retainer is the holder thatsupports the covering 15 on the housing unit 12 in the stored state andall of the plurality of fasteners 16 a and 16 b are disconnected in thestored state.

Having thus described the basic concept of the invention, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing detaileddisclosure is intended to be presented by way of example only, and isnot limiting. Various alterations, improvements, and modifications willoccur and are intended to those skilled in the art, though not expresslystated herein. These alterations, improvements, and modifications areintended to be suggested hereby, and are within the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

1. A window fan system, comprising: a housing unit having a front paneland a rear panel, said front panel and said rear panel having grilles; afan disposed between said front panel and said rear panel; a coveringconfigurable in an installed state and a stored state, wherein saidcovering covers a grille on said front panel or said rear panel in theinstalled state and said grille on said front panel or said rear panelis not covered by said covering in the stored state; a plurality offasteners, each including a first fastening member on said housing unitand a second fastening member on said covering designed to connect withsaid first fastening member at least in the installed state, a holdersupporting said covering on the housing unit when said covering is inthe stored state, said holder selected from the group consisting of atleast one of said plurality of fasteners, a storage fastener that isdifferent from said plurality of fasteners, and a retainer.
 2. Thewindow fan system of claim 1, wherein said covering is a screen.
 3. Thewindow fan system of claim 1, wherein said covering is rolled up in thestored state.
 4. The window fan system of claim 3, wherein said coveringis held on a side of said grille in the stored state.
 5. The window fansystem of claim 1, wherein said holder comprises the retainer and isconfigured to maintain said covering in the stored state.
 6. The windowfan system of claim 5, wherein the retainer includes tie stringsattached to said housing unit.
 7. The window fan system of claim 5,wherein the retainer includes a strap attached to said housing unit. 8.The window fan system of claim 1, wherein the holder includes said atleast one of said plurality of fasteners and said at least one of saidplurality of fasteners is connected in the stored state to support thecovering on the housing unit.
 9. The window fan system of claim 1,wherein the holder includes said storage fastener.
 10. The window fansystem of claim 9, wherein said covering is releasably connected to saidstorage fastener.
 11. The window fan system of claim 10, wherein saidstorage fastener includes a first fastening member on said housing unitand a second fastening member on said covering, manipulation of aportion of said first fastening element to allows disconnection of saidsecond fastening element and each of said plurality of fasteners allowsdisconnection of said second fastening element from said first fasteningelement without any manipulation of said first fastening element. 12.The window fan system of claim 11, wherein said first fastening memberof said storage fastener is in a closed state to maintain a connectionbetween said first fastening member and said second fastening member ofsaid storage fastener and includes a resilient element that ismanipulable by an external force to open the closed state and releasethe connection between said first fastening member and said secondfastening member.
 13. The window fan system of claim 1, wherein theholder includes said retainer and one of said storage fastener or saidat least one of the plurality of fastening elements.
 14. The window fansystem of claim 13, wherein the retainer includes tie strings attachedto the covering.